Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Beachwood Mayor Justin Berns said the city is taking an aggressive approach to policing Beachwood Place and working with their security team to make the public feel safe while having an enjoyable shopping experience.. Invalid password or account does not exist. Sheriff Paul Blackman says there is growing use of meth and opiate across the area. Sheena Kristen Garcia, 35, of Sebring: sale of oxycodone. Your e-mail address will be used to confirm your account. 21-CR-14002). (Case No. The senior McCray has a prior conviction from the Southern District of Florida for conspiracy to distribute cocaine base. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism Takaria Vashon McCray has a prior conviction from the Southern District of Florida for possession with intent to distribute cocaine base and was sentenced as a career offender under the federal sentencing guidelines. Copyright 2022 WOIO. (Case No. La Verne J. Hibbert, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration, Miami Field Division, Juan Antonio Gonzalez, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Robert Cekada, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, Miami Field Office, George L. Piro, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Miami Field Office, Troy Walker, Special Agent in Charge, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and Paul Blackman, Sheriff, Highlands County Sheriffs Office made the announcement. Create a password that only you will remember. Zachary Wayne Korzep, 35, of 5010 Starfish Ave., for selling methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell, felony possession of drug equipment, using a two-way device to facilitate a felony and owning/renting a structure for the sale, trafficking or sale of drugs. SEBRING, Fla. Highlands County Sheriffs Office says their most recent drug dealer bust is the largest recorded in the countys history. WebAVON PARK -- A traffic stop in Avon Park on Sunday led to what the Highlands County Sheriff's Office calls one of the largest drug seizures in recent memory in their county. 2023 FOX Television Stations, Steven Lorenzo sentenced to death for murders of Jason Galehouse and Michael Waccholtz in 2003, Cheerleader competes alone at state champs after squad quits: It felt amazing, St. Pete church affordable housing plan faces pushback from nearby neighbors, Seminole lawyer accused of stealing more than $840K from 16 personal injury victims, Pinellas sheriff says, Accused drunk driver runs over boyfriend, police say, TPD: Video shows suspected officer impersonator who exposed himself to woman at Tampa hotel, USF Sarasota-Manatee to host groundbreaking for its first student housing complex, Berns Steak House requiring credit card for reservations, no-show fees will be donated to Feeding Tampa Bay, Train carrying propane derails in Manatee County, but no leaks detected: officials, World War II airman from Tampa Bay area identified nearly 80 years after his death. 21-CR-14002). Lock PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Kenneth Jamal Deveaux has a prior conviction from the Southern District of Florida for possession with intent to distribute cocaine base and was sentenced as a career offender under the federal sentencing guidelines. However, Molina-Etchechurys was the local kingpin of the smuggling ring, with links to an unnamed international drug trafficking organization with connections in Mexico. Chief Dolan said charges are pending and the suspects names are not being released at this time. Barbara Anne Ratliff, 59, of Avon Park: sale of methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug equipment, use of a two-way device to facilitate a felony. Official websites use .govA .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Invalid password or account does not exist. Marlene Rodriguez WebJul 3, 2020 Updated Aug 7, 2021 SEBRING On Tuesday, the Highlands County Sheriffs Office Special Operations Division arrested 22, many of them alleged drug dealers, in a Stephen Gerald Shuart, 31, of Avon Park: sale of methamphetamine, possession of drug equipment. 23 people across the area were If you forget it, you'll be able to recover it using your email address. Trafficking methamphetamine (more than 28 grams), Trafficking oxycodone (more than 7 grams), Possession of drug paraphernalia with the intent to distribute, Owning or renting a structure for the purpose to traffic narcotics, Committing a first degree felony with weapon (armed drug trafficking). of marijuana, and worst of all for deputies, was the two ounces of fentanyl powder and 800 pressed fentanyl pills. This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. (Case No. We won't share it with anyone else. A law enforcement operation handled by the Drug Enforcement Administration; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Federal Bureau of Investigation; Florida Department of Law Enforcement; and Highlands County Sheriffs Office dismantled the drug trafficking organization, leading to the prosecution of members at all levels of the criminal enterprise -- from top leaders, to people who cooked crack, to street-level dealers. 4 things you can do for your health, The State of Black Tampa Bay: An Exclusive Town Hall, Ybor speakeasy honors Madame Fortune Taylor, Ex got a warrant? Deputies say they found five loaded guns and $3,000 in cash. Dixon has received the following charges: The Highlands County Sheriffs Office said Dixon previously spent 9 years in prison on federal drug charges and completed his probation in 2020. "I do not understand how people can do this, other than just pure greed and evil," stated Dressel. This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. A law enforcement operation handled by the Drug Enforcement Administration; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Federal Bureau of Investigation; Florida Department of Law Enforcement; and Highlands County Sheriff's Office dismantled the drug trafficking organization, leading to the prosecution of members at all levels of the criminal enterprise -- from top leaders, to people who cooked crack, to street-level dealers. They are wanted for using fraudulent prescriptions to obtain codeine-based prescriptions to be sold on the streets, and are part of a large ring on the east coast of the state. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Task force members also served search and arrest warrants Thursday at various locations in the country to take down the rest of the organization. Working with our federal and state partners, we have stopped the flow of nearly a million dollars per week of methamphetamine coming into our community.. Create a password that only you will remember. Molina-Etchechury was one of eight arrested Thursday when an international drug smuggling ring with Highlands County connections was dismantled. WebMiami, Florida Several Highlands County men have been sentenced in South Florida federal district court to prison terms for their roles in a powder and crack cocaine drug WebThe Highlands County Sheriffs Office Crime Suppression Unit, along with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, executed a search warrant at 4545 Shad Drive in Sebring yesterday. WebHighlands County sheriffs deputies prepare to transfer Miguel Angel Molina-Etchechury, 27, of Sebring to a different vehicle outside of his Manatee Drive home. Marquis Sharod Bellamy, 28, was sentenced on July 1, 2021, by Judge Middlebrooks, to 180 months imprisonment after being convicted of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and possession of a firearm as a convicted felon. In the past three months, the following federal defendants have been sentenced in this matter: Markyrie McCray, Jr., 24, was sentenced on September 8, 2021, by U.S. District Judge Donald M. Middlebrooks, to 30 months' imprisonment after being convicted of conspiracy to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base, commonly known as "crack cocaine." Molina Kenneth Jamal Deveaux, 39, was sentenced on May 26, 2021, by U.S. District Judge Jose E. Martinez, to 151 months imprisonment after being convicted of distribution of cocaine base. Mike DeWine suffered injury while in East Palestine, Eastlake City Council president pleads not guilty to solicitation, Missing 17-year-old Cleveland boy last seen at Lake Erie High School, Ohio Gov. RELATED: Thousands of 'rainbow fentanyl' pills seized as authorities warn of possible new 'trend' targeting kids. Two people were arrested: Gina Marcia Denys, 58 of Abingdon, and Erette Allen McClellan, 41 of Abingdon. In the past three months, the following federal defendants have been sentenced in this matter: Markyrie McCray, Jr., 24, was sentenced on Sept. 8, 2021, by U.S. District Judge Donald M. Middlebrooks, to 30 months imprisonment after being convicted of conspiracy to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base, commonly known as crack cocaine.. MIAMI Several Highlands County men have been sentenced in South Florida federal district court to prison terms for their roles in a powder and crack cocaine drug trafficking ring that had become entrenched in the Lake Placid neighborhood of Highway Park, Florida. Domestic Cannabis Suppression / Eradication Program, Red Ribbon Toolkit - Resources For Your Community, DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, Intelligence Research Specialist Job Announcements, Schedule A Hiring Authority: Intelligence Research Specialist, Privacy Impact Assessment and Management Information Systems, Victim Witness Assistance Program Resources. McCray has a prior conviction from the Southern District of Florida for possession with intent to distribute cocaine base and was sentenced as a career offender under the federal sentencing guidelines. You have permission to edit this article. Paige Marie Oldfield, 50, of Avon Park: sale of methamphetamine, possession of drug equipment. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Share with Us. Lock Four people were arrested in Ellsworth last Thursday after nearly 4 pounds of fentanyl was recovered in a drug bust spanning Hancock and Somerset counties. Deputies said their investigation began this summer after learning that Dixon was allegedly selling fentanyl out of his home. 21-CR-14002). Get an email notification whenever someone contributes to the discussion. (Case No. During the investigation, undercover deputies identified 55-year-old Lisa Radina of Lakeland as a local drug dealer/trafficker selling methamphetamine, heroin, and fentanyl. For more than a year, federal, state, and local law enforcement worked on a massive operation dubbed Operation Triple Play that targeted drug dealers and violent criminals in Highlands County. He continued to say the investigation had spanned many months and countless hours of work by investigators in multiple agencies. More than 70 people have been charged with 184 felonies as a part of a Henry County drug bust, according to the Henry County Sheriffs Office. MIAMI, Fla. (CW44 News At 10)-- Several Highlands County men have been sentenced in South Florida federal district court to prison terms for their roles in a powder and crack cocaine drug trafficking ring that had become entrenched in the Lake Placid neighborhood of Highway Park, Florida. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password. Detectives unraveled the network over seven months through several controlled purchases of methamphetamine and by identifying several dealers working for Molina-Etchechury. 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